NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - Rutgers President Robert Barchi stood by his affirmation ​of​ the First Amendment, saying those ​protections ​extend to ​the recent rash of ​anti-Semitism on campus.

At the November 16 student government town hall, Barchi​ noted the protections to incidents such as the anti-Semitic posts allegedly shared on the Facebook of a food science professor, the swastika graffiti on a Rutgers dorm, and an international law professor who accused Israel of trafficking human organs.

“If I’m a Ku Klux Klan member, and I’m going to burn a cross on a vacant lot, that’s a constitutionally protected right,” Barchi said, ​al​though the act of burning something would likely be prohibited by local ordinances.

Thousand of students have since signed a petition calling for his removal from the university, which as of 12:32 p.m. on November 17 had garnered 5,333 signatures.

“But the question is, does having posted that created an environment in his work that would compromise his ability to teach or to do research?​” Barchi ​asked. “That’s an employment issue, so we are actually investigating him.”

Barchi also defended Jasbir Puar, an associate professor at the Women and Gender Studies department, over her recently published book, The Right to Main: Debility, Capacity and Disability.

The book, published in the Duke University Press, alleges that the Israeli Defense Force, in an attempt to keep Palestinians under control, shoots to physically maim these citizens​

“That is in her area of expertise as defined by the faculty, and as you know she is a tenured faculty,” Barchi said. “That book and the material in it were reviewed independently by scholars around the country. It was accepted for publication by the Duke University Press, which is a very prominent scholarly press.”

Lastly, Barchi stood by Mazen Adi, an adjunct professor of international law, who come under fire for previously working ​as ​a diplomat for the ​regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, during which he allegedly accused Israel of trafficking human organs.

“We’re fully aware of his past, having vetted his employment credentials,” Barch said. “Everything is absolutely in order.”

UN Watch is currently petitioning the university ​in an effort to​ terminate its employment with Adi. That petition had 4,586 signatures as of 11:34 a.m. on November 17.

But Barchi maintained that Adi hadn’t done anything that warranted him ​from ​being removed from his academic post.

Indeed, the university has struggled in balancing the two, as well as free speech and hate speech.

“Rutgers’ position on free speech is clear: All of the members of our community, including faculty and staff, are free to express their viewpoints in public forums as private citizens,” university spokesperson Neal Buccino wrote in response to Chikandas’ alleged posts. "Yet at Rutgers University we must also foster an environment free from discrimination, as articulated in our policy prohibiting discrimination.”

Several weeks ago, the Rutgers student government held another town hall with university officials to try and find a line between hate speech and freedom of speech.

“Hate speech, it’s a term we use a lot, but in legal doctrine, hate speech is not really a term that has much meaning,” said Rutgers law professor Dean Ronald Chen. “The First Amendment says Congress shall pass no law infringing upon freedom of speech.”

“The courts have made clear that we cannot define speech we don’t protect in terms of how offensive someone will find them,” Chen added.

PLAINFIELD, NJ - The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Improvement Authority will hold a dedication ceremony for the Assemblyman Gerald B. Green Plaza at the former Park-Madison Building.

According to the invite, "Family members, as well as Federal, State, County and Municipal officials will be on hand to celebrate the life of Jerry Green, who served a remarkable ...

PLAINFIELD, NJ - The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Improvement ...

New Jersey’s Director of Gaming Enforcement says goal is to become top US sports betting market, but how realistic is that goal?

David Rebuck, the ever-optimistic Director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, made a bold proclamation last week when he told Gambling Compliance [paywall] that his goal is for New Jersey to be the top sports betting market in the United States.

And ...

New Jersey’s Director of Gaming Enforcement says goal is to become top US sports betting market, ...

Newark, NJ - Thirty-six passengers on a bus returning from an annual mayor’s picnic Saturday were taken to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries after an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike, officials said.

Mayor Ras Baraka's fourth annual family reunion picnic event was held at Black Bear Lake Country Club in Millstone. Around 5:30 p.m., a bus leaving the event with 42 people was ...

GLADSTONE, N.J. — Competition at Monmouth at the Team begins Monday, Aug. 13 with pony classes, equitation competition and breeding classes. The show is being held at Hamilton Farm, headquarters of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation, and runs through Aug. 20.

Action gets underway 7 a.m. each day.

Eastern Hay is the sponsor of Monmouth at the Team’s $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, the ...

PLAINFIELD, NJ - Are you a Plainfield high school student who will play a sport this year? Then schedule a free athletic physical at the Cardinal Health Center.

Appointments with Dr. Powell can be scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by calling the Neighborhood Health Center at 908-753-6401 ext. 1923 or 1926. When booking your appointment, specify that it is for the ...

PLAINFIELD, NJ - Are you a Plainfield high school student who will play a sport this year? Then ...

NEW YORK, NY - Commuters into the Port Authority Bus terminal on Monday will be part of a pilot to test a new security system, one that will try an identify suicide vests and other improvised explosive devices, according to a release from the agency.

The Port Authority will launch the pilot test next week on the new security system designed to help law enforcement professionals .

The ...

NEW YORK, NY - Commuters into the Port Authority Bus terminal on Monday will be part of a pilot to ...

PLAINFIELD, NJ - The annual school supply drive conducted by Netherwood Heights Neighbors is now underway, and the collection will benefit elementary students in Plainfield. The fundraiser will run through Aug. 31st.

PLAINFIELD, NJ - On Friday evening, residents gathered at a flag raising ceremony held on the steps of City Hall to celebrate the independence of Ecuador. Organized by Plainfield Advisory Committee on Hispanic Affairs (PACHA), the festivities included music provided by local talent, health screenings, local food vendors and community organizations. PACHA advises the mayor and city council of the ...

PLAINFIELD, NJ - On Friday evening, residents gathered at a flag raising ceremony held on the steps ...